Flamengo dominates, wins, and extends lead in the Brazilian Championship.
Flamengo reaches 23 points with victory over Fluminense and opens up a five-point lead in the standings.
By Lucas Dantas - in
More and more in the lead. An irresistible Flamengo won the Rio de Janeiro derby at the Mané Garrincha stadium and surged ahead in the 2018 Brazilian Championship. With a 2-0 victory over Fluminense, the "Mais Querido" (Most Beloved) reached 23 points, opening a five-point gap over Sport, the second-placed team. Henrique Dourado scored in the first half from a penalty, and Felipe Vizeu completed the victory in the second. The result might even be considered low, given Flamengo's superiority from start to finish. A concrete, indisputable victory for a team that wants its seventh national championship. And it will get it.
Flamengo started the first half dominating. As league leaders, the team wanted to show that their position in the table wasn't a fluke and went on the attack against Fluminense. Urged on by the crowd that filled the Mané Garrincha stadium, Vinicius Junior made his presence felt after just two minutes, dropping to the byline and delivering a dangerous cross, but Gum cleared it. If it wasn't Vinicius on the left, it was Marlos on the right. The Colombian was tormenting the Fluminense defense. At six minutes, he surged forward, taking everyone with him, and crossed, but the defense cleared again.
Flamengo's superiority was so great that at 11 minutes, another good opportunity arose. Pressing high up the pitch, Cuéllar stole the ball and tried to find Marlos, but once again the Fluminense defense cleared it for a corner. A minute later, Vinicius made a great play, leaving João Carlos behind and crossing, but the ball went across the six-yard box and Léo Duarte couldn't get there in time.
Fluminense was trying to find its footing on the field, but Flamengo's pressing was relentless. And that's how Marlos stole the ball from Marlon and ended up being brought down in the area. Penalty. Who takes it? Henrique Dourado, of course. With his usual confidence, the number 19 scored his 11th goal for Flamengo, his seventh from the penalty spot, opening the scoring at the Mané Garrincha stadium.
Flamengo didn't slow down and two minutes later forced Julio Cesar to make a great save from a Vinicius Junior shot from outside the box. Paquetá and Rodinei also attacked dangerously, but didn't change the score, which ended with a narrow victory.
The final stage began more balanced. Fluminense came out with more danger early on, while Flamengo used quick counter-attacks to respond. Diego Alves started to be involved more, but without real danger for the Flamengo goal. At 17 minutes, Marlos came off for Jean Lucas. Later, Mauricio Barbieri replaced Henrique Dourado with Felipe Vizeu. The pace of the game slowed considerably, with Flamengo holding onto the ball more and Fluminense trying to find spaces.
But it was Flamengo who found the net. A brilliant play between Paquetá and Everton Ribeiro saw the midfielder find Felipe Vizeu unmarked in the six-yard box. The striker remained calm, rounded the goalkeeper, and scored the second goal, practically sealing the victory and the lead. Now it's back to Rio to face Paraná at the Maracanã on Sunday at 19 pm.